they have not done so in four years even though it is the law that they do. there is a minimal obligation to the american people. it will be great. rich: there are no spending cuts as part of this. you are raising the debt ceiling for a few months with no spending cuts. is that a problem? >> the automatic cuts are coming right down the pike. right after that, there will be a continued resolution. another opportunity to rein in that spending. we are all inpatient to get the fiscal house in order, all impatient to make sure that medicare and medicaid are secure, but in the step-by-step process, i think we get there. rich: there are still major differences between democrats and republicans. is there a move on either side? >> i will point out that obamacare is $500 billion in taxes and they are taking it now. the bill was just passed after the new year is 600 billion in new taxes. there are a lot of new taxes. which, by the way, i opposed those. i know the importance of the safety net. we have to come together to save medicare. until there is a blueprint, i do no